Great read. I'm more aware of the leadership on the field-something that can't be quantified in a chart. I saw that leadership the last two weeks in Hoke, Borges, Mattison, and Denard on the field. Yes Denard struggled early, and his nerves were reminiscient of MSU last year at home. Except this year he brought the team back and played an excellent 4th quarter. And our defense, despite giving up that TD drive in the end, kept us in the game with 3rd down stops and turnovers.

I wonder if Hawthorne was injured last week vs. WMU? My hunch is he's fully recovered from his ankle tweak during camp based on his performance. Mattison had decent praise for him during camp. I think he played his way well ahead of Morgan, Beyer, and Jones in this game.

When Gordon returns we have 4 good options at LB with Gordon, Hawthorne, Ryan, and Demens.

Agree. However not every coach will run Denard for 1700 yds based on their playcalling. Inherent in his carries last year was the stat he missed series in what, 10 games?

The issue I'm addressing is not TOP-it's turnovers. This coaching staff wants to minimize Denard's turnovers AND his injuries by the plays they call. Coaches are responsible for their playcalling and the inherent risk of each call. Clearly playcalling is different from last year. So as others have said we should account for turnovers in the chart.

Brian may brand Denard as a goat in this game, but I think Denard did nearly everything this staff asked of him.

You need to answer my question-last year Denard threw 18tds and 11ints plus some fumbles.

The fact is, whether you or I agree with it, the new coaches are emphasizing TOP and winning the turnover battle. I find Brian's comparison to last year inconclusive if he doesn't add in a turnover measurement. Thus his argument is weak and worthy of nuke socks for those that want to bemoan his attachment to the past.

Where in the chart do you account for turnovers? Please someone tell me the grade factors in turnovers?? The shift in philosophy is much more about time of possession and minimizing turnovers. This must be accounted for when comparing this year to last.

I'm upbeat pre-reality this Saturday. I'm calling 9 or 10 wins. Why? Your ratings of our stellar O-line, plus He16sman candidate Denard Robinson. For the first time since Henne we have a returning starter at QB, with one of the best O lines in the Big 10. If I'm right, our success will be due in large part to these 5 big men on the line.

This reads like a song...starts upbeat, sinks to a historic (I-AA) low, hope is on the horizon or yet failure crashes in to stay...or will it when #16 takes the field this Saturday. Thanks for taking the time to walk us down memory lane, it was an enjoyable read.

Biggest surprise for me is Odoms on 3rd string. Odoms caught a sweet touchdown vs. Miss St. He lays the wood on blocks. He catches the ball. I have to wonder as well about injury stuff and I guess Gallon must have had an amazing camp.

Hard to see bright side though of a 3 year starter placed on 3rd string there.

but don't assume Mattison is in Hell. I got Hawthorne starting from our DC's recent comments that they "may have found someone there" in Hawthorne. Then Hawthorne injured his ankle. So with additional Mattison hype and my hunch, I expect to see a lot of him vs. Notre Dame.

Fitz and Omameh looked great on the run, definite first teamers. Qwashington and Beyer also looked strong on the 2nd team pressuring Gardner in the end zone. I love overanalyzing a 5 second clip. 7 more days and so much will be known!

So Herron is in now for an injured Demens. He switched LB positions? Anyone recall why Herron didn't see the field much last year compared to two years ago? I recall he got lots of camp hype in 09 for his speed, and played more in 09.

We have votes for 5 RBs in this thread! Someone will have to step up. We have quotes from both Fitz and Cox stating in the old regime they were hoping the coaches would trust them to play. They each had reasons they didn't play.

I'm just glad Denard won't have to carry the load in the Red Zone. Btw Cox, Shaw, Fitz, and Hopkins someone will rise up as the go to back when we need it. It's the official no excuses year for these 4 backs.

I hear you. But didn't people also say if RR had more wins these "spots" on his record wouldn't have accumulated such significance? If Miles comes, and recruits and wins like I believe he can, I don't care about a "spotless" candidate.